Stress Fracture?

[nbell]

Anyone else ever had one? This might be the strangest injury I have ever had. Don't really know how I did it, but after my sons final hockey practice when we played coaches vs kids, my foot started hurting the next day, and got worse all through the weekend of our last tournament. Went to the doctor Monday only to find out it was broken. Curious if anyone can tell me how long this one will bug me, or how likely I am to do it again? All ready sick of the crutches, and feel like I'm getting out of shape allready

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I recieved stress fractures in both my feet while in AFG from a blast. The majority of the pain lasted 3-4 weeks and lingered for several more months. This may have been due to the fact that I never used braces or crutches and had to continue mission. I taped them up and tried to keep my feet out of boots and limited my walking and running as much as possible. I think the only way to heal is rest them as much as possible.

Good luck

 

[BrowningBLR]

I just recovered from my first stress fracture, actually. Mine was the 2nd metatarsal- the toe next to the big toe (about half way up the foot). Strangest injury I have ever had. I hurt it running and tried to run through the pain that day and had to stop the next day. I woke up the next day and couldn't even put any pressure on it. I didn't get any crutches or a boot... I toughed it out and had a severe limp for about 3-4 weeks.

The fracture took about 9-10 weeks to heal, and by heal I mean where I could comfortably walk and jog a little bit, it felt pretty good after 6-7 weeks but still hurt to jog and became sore after walking. However, during my 9-10 weeks I didn't use crutches or a boot or a brace or even tape, went snowmobiling, hiked a little bit in the mountains, I also rode a stationary bike every day to keep up with cardo so I didn't feel like a slob or like "I was getting out of shape already", I didn't go all out but I didn't really stay off of it as much as I should have, probably.

Running wise, I have taken it VERY slow because it is the easiest injury to re-injure! I started off walking and jogging 1 mile for 1 week, then to 2 miles a week, then to 3, and so on... You will experience fatigue in your ligaments in your foot, and small nerver twinges... which are very strange... Don't over due it and definitely do NOT try to "run through the pain". But also, understand the differnce between pain and soreness... the top of you foot will have an awkward soreness after walking/jogging but it will also feel loose and a little bit better.

So on week 15 I am up to running 5 miles a day, pain free. (before the injury I was doing 10).

Even after 15 weeks, I still get small twinges sometimes.... it's not pain or anything, it's the nerves reacting. I still have a bump and fluid build up on the top of my foot and the point of fracture... the doctor said it will stay that way for about a year because of it regenerating and healing itself.

All in all, it is a very FRUSTRATING injury and when you think it is healed and you are good to go... you're not. Just remember to take it slow because if you reinjure it, it will set you back a minimum of another 6 weeks!! You know your body better than anyone else but as much as you want it to be better, don't over do it or try to work through the pain!

Good luck and speedy recovery!!

PS... You still have 4-6 weeks of staying off of it and being in pretty good pain!!

 

[idnative1948]

Daughter is a runner and has ended up with them a couple of times (ankles). She said to just take it slow or will take you longer to get back top form. She toughed it out without crutches or boots also.

 

[kansasdad]

Bone healing takes time and inflammation is your friend for the cells called osteoblasts that are responsible for the knitting together of the fracture line. Taking Non-steroidal-inflammatory medicines like Aleve, Naprosyn, Motrin may actually slow down the healing process. Tylenol does not slow down the healing cells. Premature weight bearing will tear open/micofracture the healing zone, making the healing process take longer.

In the long run being a "tough guy" and "gutting it out" and working the bone too early will generally lead to slower healing, longer painful/soreness times, and maybe even more irregularly shaped bones.

 

[Hem]

I had a stress fracture in my tibia from running,years ago(College).It was far more painful and annoying than the two broken legs from skiing.it was like 6 months of shin splints.Not much you can do but lay off all impact exersise and grit simply walking.hard to believe a hairline crack could be so annoying.

 

[fishing4sanity]

Nick, sorry to hear about this, and probably just as things are really getting busy. Give it the rest it needs to get better and if it's any consolation I doubt you'll fall out of shape enough to drop down into whatever shape category I'm in, best of luck to you!